Launceston Tamar and the North

Travel Guide

Colours in the afternoon on the South Esk river in Cataract Gorge Reserve in Launceston.
Colours in the afternoon on the South Esk river in Cataract Gorge Reserve in Launceston.
Deloraine in the early morning mist, snow capped mountains in the distance, mist rising over the town as the sun slowly rises.
As I said elsewhere, there is so much more to Cradle Mountain than just Dove Lake. I drive about 100 kms, starting around 3.30 a.m. and dodging about 30 pademelons (type of wallaby) and two spotted quolls before reaching Dove Lake. Then I set out in the dark and walked for about 2 hours to reach this spot, hoping all the way the weather would hold. Can't begin to describe my joy when I found it like this. Little Horn is the immediate peak you can see with Cradle Mountain behind it. If you get the chance, pencil in Twisted Lakes. You'll probably have it all to yourself.
Then the top of Little Horn peeps up on the horizon, maybe I’m getting close I think. Within another 20 metres the whole purpose of the excursion becomes apparent. The vista before me is simply breathtaking. Twisted Lakes is but a mirror, everything I’d hoped and planned for has come to fruition. When you come upon something as good as this, it’s overwhelming. The sheer majesty of the panorama engulfs you, its power makes you feel so humble in its presence, there’s a distinct aura of “something else”, but it’s indefinable. It’s all my grey matter can do to remind me that I’m here to actually take photos. You just don’t want to stop looking for fear that it will all go away and you’ll be denied any more pleasure; but it stays as I set up the tripod. It’s not often I put myself in the picture, but here I feel it’s a must. Then I can look at it and remember just where I sat and how good it was. There are many angles to be had here. Faint trails indicate where other photographers have been, little flattened sections indicative of footfalls. It takes me around 15 minutes to get what I came for and then I sit down and enjoy breakfast, although “enjoy” seems like a totally inadequate verb in this case, there is a higher plane involved here, one you get to experience so few times in life. The cloud has started to form more seriously now, as predicted, and it adds a little to the experience. Changing lens and shifting position constantly I can but hope I’ve got it covered and, even as I’m moving around, the first gentle ripples of the day’s breezes disturb the surface. Had I been here any later I would have missed it. You like to think it’s good fortune but reflect on that fact that you’ve planned it for a week, constantly following the weather patterns, in the hope that you’ll get it right and leaving early enough to avoid all the problems that occur later. #Nature

Where to stay in Launceston Tamar and the North

Only a 10 minute drive north of Launceston, the perfect way to start your morning is with a leisurely 3km return walk through the wetlands to Tamar Island. Get there early enough and you’ll have the walk all to yourself. A boardwalk extends over swamps and crosses the river to two islets and then Tamar Island,

Riverside

Restaurants, shopping, and river views are some highlights of Riverside. Make a stop by Tamar Island Wetlands Centre or Tasmania Zoo while you're exploring.

Riverside
Cataract Gorge

West Launceston

You'll enjoy the restaurants and parks in West Launceston. You might want to make time for a stop at Cataract Gorge or Cataract Gorge Reserve.

West Launceston
Cataract Gorge Reserve at Launceston in Tasmania, Australia

South Launceston

Restaurants and spas are some things travelers note about South Launceston. Check out Centro Meadow Mews Shopping Centre or Brisbane Street Mall while you're familiarizing yourself with the larger area.

South Launceston
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Summerhill

While Summerhill might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Silverdome and Cataract Gorge.

Summerhill
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East Launceston

Restaurants and gardens are notable features of East Launceston. You might consider a stop by Launceston Aquatic Centre while you're exploring the neighborhood.

East Launceston
Still day in the Tamar Valley - it was late afternoon when I got this shot

Legana

Wineries and shopping are just a few things travelers like about Legana. A stop by Velo Winery is also recommended if you've got time to explore the area.

Legana
Hotel Grand Chancellor Launceston

Hotel Grand Chancellor Launceston

4.5 out of 5
29 Cameron Street Launceston TAS
The price is NT$3,548 per night from Mar 15 to Mar 16
NT$3,548
NT$3,902 total
Mar 15 - Mar 16
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Launceston. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
Rooms great size and clean very comfortable bed

Reviewed on 2026/2/10

Hotel Grand Chancellor Launceston
Leisure Inn Penny Royal Hotel & Apartments

Leisure Inn Penny Royal Hotel & Apartments

3.5 out of 5
147 Paterson Street Launceston TAS
The price is NT$3,214 per night from Feb 26 to Feb 27
NT$3,214
NT$3,536 total
Feb 26 - Feb 27
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Launceston. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,006 reviews)
Loved the theme, clean and tidy room Great experience 👍

Reviewed on 2026/2/8

Leisure Inn Penny Royal Hotel & Apartments
Commodore Regent Launceston

Commodore Regent Launceston

4 out of 5
13 Brisbane Street Launceston TAS
The price is NT$2,830 per night from Mar 15 to Mar 16
NT$2,830
NT$3,113 total
Mar 15 - Mar 16
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Launceston. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
The room was very clean and the staff are very helpful

Reviewed on 2026/2/8

Commodore Regent Launceston
See all 607 properties in Launceston Tamar and the North
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Country Club Villas

Country Club Villas

4 out of 5
Casino Rise Prospect Vale TAS
Book a stay at this golf aparthotel in Launceston. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,897 reviews)
This is the second time we stayed at the Country Club Villas, on both occasions the stay was great. On this particular visit the mattresses were great and didn't need replacing. We recommend staying at the accomodation, it is family friendly, the indoor heated pool is great and the accomodation is ...

Reviewed on 2026/2/11

Country Club Villas
Launceston Central Apartment Hotel

Launceston Central Apartment Hotel

4 out of 5
16 Paterson Street Launceston TAS
Book a stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Launceston. Enjoy free WiFi, dry cleaning or laundry services, and laundry facilities. Our guests praise ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (641 reviews)
Clean, spacious room and friendly staff.

Reviewed on 2026/2/3

Launceston Central Apartment Hotel
Discovery Parks - Hadspen

Discovery Parks - Hadspen

3 out of 5
Cnr Main St & Meander Valley Hwy ( B54 ) Hadspen TAS
Book a stay at this family-friendly cabin in Launceston. Enjoy free parking, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Entally Estate and Country ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (436 reviews)
Good room

Reviewed on 2026/2/5

Discovery Parks - Hadspen
See all properties in Launceston Tamar and the North
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Cataract Gorge

Cataract Gorge

5/5(29 reviews)

Swim in a tranquil basin fed by tumbling mountain-spring waters, fly over the water on a chairlift and stroll around the gardens fringed with stunning native forest.

Cataract Gorge
Brisbane Street Mall

Brisbane Street Mall

3.5/5(7 reviews)

Launceston’s best shopping is in easy reach at this busy community hub, where intriguing laneways and historic arcades branch off from a central sheltered mall.

Brisbane Street Mall
Awesome rock climbing and adventure park in the heart of Launceston #lifeatexpedia

Penny Royal Adventures

3/5(1 review)

Bring the kids to Penny Royal Adventures and have a fun-filled day at this theme park in Launceston. Discover the beautiful waterfalls and shops in this walkable area.

Penny Royal Adventures
City Park

City Park

4.5/5(19 reviews)

Stroll around this charming Victorian-era park to see its pretty flower displays, giant chess set, heritage monuments and monkey enclosure.

City Park
Royal Park showing a bay or harbor

Royal Park

4.5/5(11 reviews)

After visiting Royal Park, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Launceston. Check out the shops and top-notch restaurants in this walkable area.

Royal Park
Sunrise over Ben Lomond

Ben Lomond National Park

5/5(3 reviews)

Explore the great outdoors at Ben Lomond National Park, a lovely green space in Ben Lomond. Make some time to visit the shops while you're in the area.

Ben Lomond National Park

Cities near Launceston Tamar and the North

Cradle Mountain

Cradle Mountain

Westbury as well as an individual male

Westbury

Lake St. Clair

Lake St. Clair

Derby showing a house and forest scenes

Derby

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